The 2023 Emmys ceremony ended exactly on time at 11 p.m. ET, with producers crediting host Anthony Anderson's mother, Doris Bowman, for keeping acceptance speeches concise and on track. Bowman, dubbed "play-off mama," intervened only twice, and Anderson also played a significant role in maintaining the show's pace. Despite these efforts, the Emmys still experienced a record low in ratings.
Host Anthony Anderson's mother, Doris Bowman, successfully kept the 2023 Emmys at a 3-hour runtime by signaling winners when their acceptance speeches were going over the allotted time, using cardboard signs with drawings of clocks and playful messages. Anderson had teased the involvement of his mother in the show, ensuring it would be fun without stepping on anyone's toes, and also joked about her going on a date with the winner of the lead actor in a comedy series award.
At the 2023 Emmys, host Anthony Anderson introduced a new segment featuring his mom, Doris Bowman, interrupting winners' speeches with lengthy remarks, which received mixed reactions from viewers. Some found it amusing, while others felt it was disruptive and not cute. Despite the backlash, some winners, like John Oliver, played along with the bit, while others called out the show for the interruption. The Emmys also featured reunions from shows like "Martin" and "Cheers," and were broadcast live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
